13 of 13Next Gallery: A perfect afternoon at the 2012 Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles: Enthusiasts of all ages converge to celebrate classic automotive design

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Conquering the car show with a 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

October 3, 2012

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At any local car show, the veterans can be found looking around for the more unique, rare, special and peculiar cars, leaving more common cars by the wayside.

Spotted anywhere else, a nice looking, plain-jane early 1960's Ford Mustang would get plenty of attention. But in a sea of cool old cars, it might take something really unusual to excite a more jaded enthusiast.

And that is exactly what I found at a recent Muskegon-area car show. I was lucky enough to arrive at the show in a 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302, which drew plenty of its own attention at this local gathering of car aficionados.

In a distant corner of the show sat these two very special cars: One was a white 1970 Boss and the other a yellow 1969 model. As I approached both cars, I was excited to get closer to the ancestors of my weekend ride.

As I made my way over to the white with black “hockey stripes” 1970, its owner, Steve Boyink of Spring Lake, Mich., politely said hello. I complimented him on the condition of his car. It was a meticulously cared-for example; but one that's clearly driven, as it should be.

After a few minutes of discussion about his car, conversation quickly turned to another special car.

“Did you see the new 2013 Boss 302 out in the parking lot?” he asked. “It's pretty dirty and covered in bugs, but it's good to see they are driving it.”

Little did he know, I'd put on more than 700 miles on the Boss that weekend.

“Yeah,” I replied coyly. “The bright green one right?” Just checking to confirm that the car I was driving was the only 2013 Boss in the lot.

“That's that one,” he said.

“That's me,” I revealed, showing him the keys.

I explained how and why I had access to the car, much to the delight of Boyink.

And as soon as I finished coming clean, up came owner of the 1969 Boss, photographer Steve Fiorenzo.

“There is a 2013 Boss out in the parking lot!” he exclaimed. “I just got back from taking a ton of pictures of it.” We kindly let him in on our little secret.

One of their shared friends, who was not in attendance, had recently told both Fiorenzo and Boyink that were he to order a new Boss, it would be the 2013 in bright green.

“Well his car is here. Too bad he isn't,” said Fiorenzo, laughing.

After discussing the new car and looking over the first-generation examples owned by Fiorenzo and Boyink, we headed to out to the parking lot for a close look at one of Dearborn's finest modern muscle cars.

Sadly, time didn't permit for a ride and drive with either Boyink or Fiorenzo, but they did get to check out the car in the lot and see what's new.

“Wow, air conditioning. That's odd to think of driving a Boss with A/C,” one said.

We opened the doors, popped the hood, started it up, revved the engine and enjoyed a few short minutes of Ford sonic goodness, much to the displeasure of the Corvette and Camaro owners nearby.

After the “inspection,” we corralled Bosses both old and new for a quick photo shoot to capture the moment.

As the cars sat together, people took notice. That may have been because I asked a Harley owner if he would move his bike to accommodate the shoot, which apparently wasn't “cool” with him. But it was probably the presence of something old and something new, with both complimenting one another so well.

I was glad to have had the opportunity to share the new Boss 302 with some genuine Boss owners and enthusiasts who were excited to see a new car came to town.

Turns out it was something special, something unique and something out of the ordinary.

A special thanks to both Boyink and Fiorenzo for their hospitality, time and contributions for the subject of this article.